Theos-Talk Archives (May 2003 Message tt00284)

1st. series SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION



Saturday, May 31, 2003


Re: THEOSOPHICAL SUBJECTS for DISCUSSION


Dear Friends:

Mr. Judge prepared a series of outlines to assist lecturers and
students in presenting Theosophical doctrines. They were
published in various issues of the Theosophical "FORUM"

Here are some of the outlines arranged ABC by subject

Best wishes,

Dallas


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1st Series Arranged by Subject

"SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION"
AMONG THEOSOPHISTS


In May, 1895, Mr. Judge announced that the Theosophical Forum, (a
small monthly pamphlet containing questions and answers on
Theosophy) "enters upon a new life and era." Henceforth, he said,
"it will be issued from the office of the President and under his
direction." In other words, Mr. Judge, then the president of the
Theosophical Society in America, took total responsibility for
the Forum. He also said there would be changes:

Editorial treatment of topics by W.Q.J., C. F. W. [Claude Falls
Wright], and others who hold similar views, will also vary from
the past; and as to this it can now be observed that if the
treatment of several subjects shall seem inconsistent with what
was said in the old series, the inconsistency will be due to a
present more definite and rigorous application of theosophical
theories to the questions in hand rather than the mechanical and
narrow view formerly obtaining.

This is the primary reason why "Forum" Answers, published by the
Theosophy Company in 1982, consists only of the answers made by
Mr. Judge to questions sent to the Theosophical Forum from 1889
to February, 1896.

In October, 1895, the sixth issue of the new Forum series, Mr.
Judge inserted the following note:

"Some members have taken the statements of these syllabuses as
being didactic and authoritative teachings. They should not be so
taken as they are merely analyses of theosophical subjects made
by different persons and are intended simply as suggesting
certain lines of thought, study, and work. They are an attempt to
fill a long-felt need among the Branches and to give each center
a good outline for discussion at its meetings; but nothing more
is intended, and they should not be taken as authoritative." --
W Q J

==========================

At the end of the first issue of the "new" Forum, Mr. Judge
inaugurated a section titled

"Subjects for Discussion;'

consisting of condensed paragraphs on various subjects considered
useful for discussion and study by individuals and Branches of
the Society.

In view of Mr. Judge's statement that the Forum was under his
direction, it may be assumed that he either wrote or approved of
these items. Present-day students of Theosophy will find them of
value.

They are reprinted here as they were presented in the "Forum,"
from May 1895 through March 1896.

In every issue, the following statement preceded the topics for
discussion:

"In articles and addresses never use Sanskrit or foreign terms
without also giving the English meaning; use English terms
preferably:'


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A B C by SUBJECT

1st Series

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ANTASKARANA


The link between the higher and lower manas. Important for study
as being the one approach to spirituality in the mind of man.
Only acts when the consciousness is nor mal. During sleep it has
no existence. A mode of consciousness, not a principle. Higher
manas and lower manas separated during the period of incarnation,
save in the case of an Initiate. Antaskarana, the link between
them, is a projection of the lower manas toward the higher. All
per sons project this condition of soul into spiritual regions.
The link increases in power if the energy which produced it is
steadily maintained. Liable to be temporarily cut off however if
not energized perpetually. Antaskarana the "battlefield" of the
personality, spoken of in the Voice of the Silence. Battlefield
disappears when the term of struggle ends. Through Antaskarana
come all the higher impulsions during any life. Music, art,
poetry, if truly spiritual, come from this source as much as
philosophy. Careful distinction to be made between sentimentality
and true inspiration. Antaskarana may be so strengthened as
eventually to awaken the full nature of the human being, and a
link thus formed between higher and lower manas cannot be readily
broken. If once accomplished it is always possible for the lower
manas to unite itself with its "father" again at any moment.

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ASTRAL LIGHT


1	THE ASTRAL LIGHT

The "soul of the world' The vortex of physical life. The lowest
differentiation of akasa or fine substance. The sphere of occult
currents and the odic force. Two aspects, the spiritual and the
material. Mediums see upside down and from below. The Initiate
sees from above in the astral light. Astral light the abode of
elementaries, nature spirits, and human elementals. The active
residence of black magicians. Weak persons pass into this sphere
unconsciously during sleep. Etheric waves and life currents in
astral light. Philosophy of the Lotus; roots in the earth
(physical world), stalk in the water (astral light), flower in
the atmosphere (the spiritual world).

-------------------------

2

The ether of occult science. Lowest plane of the Hindu akasa. The
World-Soul, that out of which all visible manifested nature
proceeds. Akasa is the fine substance out of which is spun and
constructed every visible form and invisible being. The action of
the Purusha or spirit in the akasa produces the manifested
universe. The astral light is the sphere of akasa nearest our
physical earth. Therefore, the playground of unseen forces
producing all the growths and movements and evolution of the
vegetable and other kingdoms. Efficient comprehension of the
astral light and its properties enables the seer to understand
all the workings of nature. Dangerous because also the receptacle
of mind forces and conscious and subconscious thoughts. Mediums
influenced by its forces liable to lose mental grip. True
occultist will never allow any astral power to over come his
intelligence. Clairvoyants and psychics, not possessed of occult
power or union with the Supreme, utterly untrustworthy. Astral
light has two phases; looked at from above, seen aright; looked
at from below, all powers and elemental beings and sights
inverted. Theosophists inclined to dabble in mediumship and
desiring sight-see- ing, should remember the statement of H.P.B.
that some of the highest occultists never look into the astral
light at all; they would not degrade themselves by passing into
that region. The sphere of evil thoughts and desires. The abode
of elementals and nature spirits. The sphere of disintegrating
"shells," elementaries, spooks, earth bound souls; looked at from
the physical sphere of ordinary human life, the degrader of
intelligence and the soul. Aim of the student to get rid of its
influence. All men, save occultists, influenced by it more or
less. One aim of Theosophy to instruct men in coming age of
psychism to avoid astral influences. This is done by giving the
real philosophy of Astral Light. Hence Theosophists should study
carefully the doctrine, but not experiment in these regions.

-------------------------------

3	NATURE'S FINER FORCES [ Psychic ]


Intelligent appreciation of the finer forces of nature necessary.
Science takes no account of the action of these forces, it merely
observes their effects. The growth of trees and animals resultant
from action of intelligent energy. Ancient Aryans taught that
there were seven different forces corresponding to the seven
senses - two of which are not now known to the ordinary man, -
called the mahabhutas or tatwas by the Hindus. The action of
Purusha or Spirit in Prakriti or Matter throws it into seven
different conditions and causes it to generate in seven different
ways. On our planet this produces the seven kingdoms, i.e., the
three elemental, mineral, vegetable, animal and human. In the
Cosmos it produces the seven hierarchies of spiritual beings and
planets. All nature an outbreathing and inbreathing. Man only
lives by such action. The finer currents of nature also subject
to the same law, hence positive and negative. Astral light the
field for play of grosser forces exercising in this sphere; hence
not recognized by ordinary men. Many finer currents in the body
than those passing through the veins, arteries and nerves.
Hypnotism indicates the existence of some of these; clairvoyant
sight, that of others. The mind the great controller and exciter
of these currents. By controlling the mind the body can be
overcome, and through that the whole of nature; placing all under
the dominance of spiritual perception.

-------------------------------

4	MEDIUMSHIP

Definition of the term. A spiritualistic one, meaning the
characteristic of one who gives himself up to psychic influences
and becomes the medium for their play. Medium is controlled by
astral forces. Many with psychic power not however mediums.
Mediumship more common than suspected. Does not always consist of
seeing clairvoyantly or being psychically controlled, but often
manifests in other ways. Drunkards, and those unable to control
their passions, probably mediumistic. Persons uncontrolled
generally, come under the title. Mediumship overcome by creating
positivity of character, and particularly by pre venting the mind
from wandering and from general passivity of disposition.
Spiritualistic mediums and those "sitting" for control, become
disorganized nervously and physically in a very short time.
Astral body is separated from the physical body and given up to
the mercy of the shells of the dead. Practice demoralizing in
every aspect. External forces rush in and the brain becomes
affected. Hence lying, and falsifying generally, often goes hand
in hand with the more complete phases. Part of the work of the
Theosophical movement to cure the world of medium- ship in all
phases. United States a "hot-bed" of psychism, and philosophy
alone can cure the condition. Warning against being misled by
mediumistic communications instead of by interior intuition.


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ASTRAL ENTITIES

ASTRAL ENTITIES (Elementals & Elementaries)


Space full of them. Nearly all persons more or less affected by
them, though unseen. Study of them and their actions, the work of
many great minds of the past. Elementals - the individualized
nature's forces. Elementaries - the shells of the dead. Effort of
the student to prevent psychic influences. Dangers resulting from
attending spiritualistic seances. Real souls of the dead not in
the astral light. Its denizens largely the effect of the action
of thought on the part of human beings. Four kinds of "nature's
spirits," called by the Rosicrucians those of earth, water, air
and fire. This refers to the intelligences behind all things, and
the true science of the spirit of the different conditions of
nature. Those four "elements" of the ancients were not really
elements as the term is now understood, but states of matter -
physical, liquid, gaseous, and etheric or fiery. The laws
governing these states are the expression of the intelligences
behind the astral entities. Ether, part of the astral light.
Materializations, spirit rappings, independent voice, mediumship,
obsession, possession all explained in Theosophical literature.
Students should fully comprehend the explanations given so as to
have intelligent knowledge of the subject.

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BHAGAVAD GITA


Part of the great Hindu poem, the Mahabharata. One of the most
metaphysical treatises extant. Consists of eighteen discourses,
eighteen being the number of this yuga or age. Arjuna the lower
ego, Krishna the higher ego. The conversation between these two
signifying the thought which every man induces who is thinking
about his own nature. Effort of the treatise is to show how to
obtain Nirvana or Yoga-union with the spirit. First six chapters
describe the nature of the individual soul, the second six
describe the nature of the universal Spirit, and the third
signify the condition of him whose soul is united with the Deity.
Each chapter has a special meaning in connection with the growth
of the soul. Students should understand that there are many
interpretations according to the stage of advancement of the
reader. The various names in the book refer as much to conditions
of the mind as to actual persons and places. What is meaning of
action and inaction? The hostile armies meeting on the plain of
the Kurus are the two collections of faculties tending to raise
up and draw down the human soul.

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BUDDHISM


Theosophy is not Buddhism, which is one of the great exoteric
world-religions. Founded by Gautama Buddha, once prince of
Kapilavastu, who was born about the year 621 B.C. Maya, his
mother, commonly believed by Buddhists to have been a virgin,
like the mother of nearly every "Savior," but the Buddhist
Scriptures do not state this. He performed many "miracles," but
never claimed to be more than all men might in time become,
stating he had reached enlightenment through his own exertions.
Belonged to the Kshatriya or warrior caste, the old teachers of
the Brahmans. Did not found a new religion, but was a reformer of
priest-ridden Hinduism, substituting for it the old trans
Himalayan and Kshatriya doctrines. He taught that only a knower
of Brahma was a true Brahman and that birth in the Brahman caste
did not confer any moral privilege. Incurred the hatred of the
orthodox. Had an exoteric and esoteric doctrine, the latter
(Theosophy) the same as the esoteric side of every true religion.
This fact denied by Max Muller and other Orientalists, but is
clearly stated in the Saddharma-Pundarika, chapter v, verses 1-4,
and elsewhere. The Southern Buddhism of today the outcome of
Buddha's exoteric teaching. It is materialistic compared to
Northern Buddhism, which is the outcome of Buddha's esotericism,
though corrupt and overgrown with Indian and Bhon exotericism.
Buddhism the only bloodless religion. Never persecuted others,
but its followers were persecuted by Brahmans. Buddha, like
Jesus, left no writings known to the world. The "Triple Basket,"
or Buddhist canon, arranged at the first council after Buddha's
death. The Vinaya-pitaka, or discipline; the Sutta-pitaka, or
discourses of Buddha; the Abhidamma-pitaka, or metaphysics (not
yet translated). These teach Karma, Reincarnation, the purest
ethics. Are pessimistic in regard to earth life. Buddhism
followed today by over one-third of the human race.

================================================================


CHELAS & MASTERS


True Master the higher Self. Initiates always the guiding
teachers of those souls not yet progressed. Masters in contact
with the Higher Egos. Chelas the disciples of all Masters at
first; not until near the end of probation do they come under the
direct guidance of individual teachers. Chelas do not see their
spiritual teachers until after initiation. Seven years probation,
the fixed law of growth. Seven years chelaship necessary because
of the change of atoms and astral connections. Masters under the
same spiritual rays as their chelas. Nirmanakayas the helpers of
men. Many degrees of teachers. Masters in America and other
countries.

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CONCENTRATION


CONCENTRATION [ & Meditation ]


Literal meaning "with the center," i.e., balance. To hold the
mind on any object without thinking of anything but it. One of
the practices of occultism. Does not consist in staring at a spot
on the wall or anything in particular, but in keeping the mind
free from thoughts and desires that draw it away from that upon
which it should be placed. Difficulty of concentration in the
West, owing to thought indulgences, and want of strength of
character. Concentration results from ability to keep the mind
fixed upon what ever duty it has to perform. To think of results
is to destroy the concentrative power. Hence duty without desire
for reward is one phase of it. It differs from meditation, in as
much as the latter consists in revolving a matter in the mind in
order to understand it, whereas concentration is merely the
holding of the mind on the object. Concentration however is a
necessary adjunct to meditation. Vanity, egotism, individual
affections and preferences, personality of all kinds, the desire
for position and wealth, hate, jealousy, fear, are all destroyers
of the concentrative faculty. Hence they are to be avoided by the
student. Through concentration lies the power of raising the
Kundalini or spiritual force. When the mind can hold itself upon
its karmic duties without any tendency to flee therefrom to other
objects, then it will discover how to unite itself with the
spirit.

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DUTY

The continuous teaching of the Bhagavad-Gita. The ethical
teaching of this book is scientific. "If thou wilt not per form
the duty of thy calling and fight out the field, thou wilt
abandon thy natural duty and thy honor, and be guilty of a
crime:' One's "natural duty" the result of Karma. This must be
worked through. When worked through it falls off, as the old skin
from a serpent. In the general economy of nature, to attempt the
duty of another creates confusion. No action is perfectly pure,
and one's own natural duty, as the result of one's own thoughts
and acts in this life and in past lives, should be performed even
though it be stained with faults. If performed as a duty,
unselfishly and without attachment to results, good will ensue
for oneself and for all men. For it is not sufficient to do one's
own duty; it must be done as a duty owed to the supreme Self,
with that motive in view. All this especially applies to thought,
as every act originates in the mind.
Especially avoid the duty of another in thought. The homely
saying, "To mind one's own business," should be taken as applying
chiefly to the mind. The results of an action once performed
cannot be altered; the law deals with results. Therefore the
results should be mentally left to the law; or "offered to the
Supreme." The folly of worrying over results; of regrets, of
fears and hopes in regard to them. Beyond our reach; why then
waste time and force on such things if no practical object is to
be gained? The difficulty of discovering one's duty in many cases
due to an attempt to do so before the necessity has arrived. When
in doubt as to a duty one should stand still. The result of
living according to these rules is a purification or
clarification of the mind, which is the vehicle of the soul.
Following this clarification comes illumination, from within
outwards.

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ELEMENTALS & ELEMENTARIES


ASTRAL ENTITIES

Space full of them. Nearly all persons more or less affected by
them, though unseen. Study of them and their actions, the work of
many great minds of the past. Elementals - the individualized
nature's forces. Elementaries - the shells of the dead. Effort of
the student to prevent psychic influences. Dangers resulting from
attending spiritualistic seances. Real souls of the dead not in
the astral light. Its denizens largely the effect of the action
of thought on the part of human beings. Four kinds of "nature's
spirits," called by the Rosicrucians those of earth, water, air
and fire. This refers to the intelligences behind all things, and
the true science of the spirit of the different conditions of
nature. Those four "elements" of the ancients were not really
elements as the term is now understood, but states of matter -
physical, liquid, gaseous, and etheric or fiery. The laws
governing these states are the expression of the intelligences
behind the astral entities. Ether, part of the astral light.
Materializations, spirit rappings, independent voice, mediumship,
obsession, possession all explained in Theosophical literature.
Students should fully comprehend the explanations given so as to
have intelligent knowledge of the subject.

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CYCLES


A comprehensive law of nature. To be found without exception in
the growth of all beings. A key to the future. Vibration the
basis of it. Originates in the ever-seeking of the two poles of
nature to unify. The separation of spirit and matter at the
commencement of existence causes a tendency of the one to pass to
the other and vice versa. From this results vibration. To be
found in all departments of nature; day and night, summer and
winter, heat and cold, waking and sleeping, light and darkness,
life and death; a perpetual series. Hence reincarnation the
necessary conclusion. Application of the law to racial
development, to wars, to famines, etc.; also to the growth and
fall of civilizations. Men, races, planets, universes, cosmos
ruled by this absolute, immutable law.

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DEATH


1	DEATH

A comprehension of the causes of death and of its fundamental
nature requires an understanding of the whole theosophical
philosophy. Its physical cause the separation of the astral body
from the material body. Death often takes place years before the
mere physical body ceases to act: e.g. second childhood, where
the soul has fled. Brain the last organ active; often active
after the heart has ceased to beat or the body to breathe. States
after Death. Is it possible to communicate with the dead? What
are elementary shells? One cannot live forever; the body will be
destroyed when its time comes. Occult meaning of the elixir of
Life. Wrong to disturb the dead and draw the souls away from
Devachan; this interferes with future incarnations. Philosophy of
the separation of the principles; the four lower dividing up,
Atma-Buddhi-Manas drawing the lower Manas to the condition of
Devachan.

-----------------------------------

2	DEVACHAN

A state - not a place. The heaven of the lower self united to its
spiritual half after death. Corresponds with the Christian idea
of Heaven. Spiritualist conception of the "Summerland" an
erroneous idea. Length of its duration variable. Normal length
for men of this humanity, from 1000 to 1500 years. Soul only
enters it after throwing off the connection with the earth-life.
A state in which the memory of the spiritual side of the previous
lives is awakened. Earth-bound souls, i.e., those who die with
powerful ambitions and desires, debarred from entrance there
into. Communication with those on earth possible through the
medium of the higher Manas

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DESIRES AND PASSIONS - KAMA


Different classes of desire. Those related to physical existence;
bodily appetites
and tendencies. Those of the mind, such as pride, ambition, etc.
Higher desires for spiritual progress. How all these are often
intermixed. From what does desire arise?
Is it from polarity or what? Desire expressed in animal and other
kingdoms. Correspondence or likeness between chemical affinity
and desire. The difference between the two. The position and
relation of desire to and among the other human principles.
Compare this with the view of modern psychology. Relation between
will and desire. What is weak will? Is there absolutely such a
thing, or is the "weak willed" one who has many desires pulling
in various ways?

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DEVACHAN


A state - not a place. The heaven of the lower self united to its
spiritual half after death. Corresponds with the Christian idea
of Heaven. Spiritualist conception of the "Summerland" an
erroneous idea. Length of its duration variable. Normal length
for men of this humanity, from 1000 to 1500 years. Soul only
enters it after throwing off the connection with the earth-life.
A state in which the memory of the spiritual side of the previous
lives is awakened. Earth-bound souls, i.e., those who die with
powerful ambitions and desires, debarred from entrance there
into. Communication with those on earth possible through the
medium of the higher Manas

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EGO


Two phases, higher and lower. In theosophical terminology differs
from the Higher Self. Key to Theosophy should be carefully
studied for such definition. The Ego commonly called Manas or
human mind or Soul. Lower ego the personality with its desires.
The higher ego that phase of the human soul united to the spirit.
Object of attainment to unite the higher and lower egos. This is
accomplished after death by most persons. The aim should be to
complete the union before death. Initiation.

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EVOLUTION


Known to the ancients. Modern science has merely revivified it.
Cannot be properly understood unless the soul is considered as a
factor also. The Secret Doctrine teaches three kinds of
evolution - body, soul, spirit. Meaning of "the stone becomes a
plant, plant an animal, animal a man, man a god." Links between
the kingdoms not found by science. Exists on other planets and
globes. To understand evolution properly the inner spheres or
heavens must be studied. Man's progenitors, astral and spiritual.
Evolution of the mind and soul. Relation to Karma.

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2nd Series follows